A 2-Minute Walk May Counter The Harms Of Sitting

05/15/2015 09:22 am ET
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Updated
May 15, 2015

Gretchen Reynolds
The New York Times

Dubber/Flickr

With evidence mounting that sitting for long stretches of time is unhealthy, many of us naturally wonder how best to respond. Should we stand up, or is merely standing insufficient? Must we also stroll or jog or do jumping jacks?

A new study offers some helpful perspective, suggesting that even a few minutes per hour of moving instead of remaining in a chair might substantially reduce the harms of oversitting.

Stress-Busting Yoga Moves You Can Do at Your Desk

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Seated Twist

Sit at the edge of your chair with a straight spine, shoulders back and down. Keep your legs together and reach your right hand to the outside of your left knee. Reach your left hand to the back of your chair as you slowly twist to your left. Braverman says you can keep your gaze forward, or for a deeper stretch you can turn your neck slowly to look over your back shoulder. After three to five breaths slowly untwist and then repeat on the other side.
Photo Credit: You Tube/Jill BravermanClick Here to See More Stress-Busting Yoga Moves You Can Do at Your Desk